The Greatest Commandment. The greatest blessing. Mark 12:28-31

Mark 12:28-31New International Version (NIV)

The Greatest Commandment

28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Face it we live in a world that doesn't like commandments.  "Don't tell me what i'm supposed to do...." seems to be the mantra of many.  Commandments seem so absolute and judgmental with very little room for discussion.  No we like suggestions a lot more than commandments.   So When we think about commandments automatically some of us start to squirm and worry about the consequences of breaking them..  but this is a sad way of living because God looks at it radically different.  God thinks about the glory of obeying them!

Think about it.   Could there be anything better than loving God with our whole heart especially when we know that God has already loved us with everything; heart,soul,mind and strength.  No the commandments are not a punishment or a warning.  They are an invitation to engage in a love affair and to experience life abundantly!   Its when we fail to follow the commandments that we undermine our own enjoyment and the enjoyment of others from the very best God has to offer.

No commandments are not burdens.  Rather they are a blessing.  They are beautiful.  They are the picture of life as it was meant to be.

So if you're looking for true love and joy try the commandments and start with Loving God and loving others.  It can be liberating!  Even if its not always easy.

Prayer,  Lord help me to experience your very best today and use me to bless others with the best as well.  Help me to love and not take for granted the love affair that's a heart beat away.  Help us to love the commandments as much as You love us.

Peace begins in our hearts. Micah 6:6-8

"With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.   And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God."  Micah 6:6-8

What a perfect text to come up for us on Martin Luther King Day because we can affirm that this was the heart of his actions and his desires.  Martin Luther King Jr. sought to act justly and to promote justice.  He sought to act out of a heart of love and to promote love and peace for all people.  Truly, love, mercy and humility inspired his actions and were reflected in his unselfish leadership.  

Truly this day is not just a celebration for black Americans.  It's a celebration for all people.  Because of his example and his desire to seek justice and walk humbly with his God, all of us are better! Our nation is better!  Our world is better!

His work however must continue because we are still a divided nation and the divisions often run even deeper than the color of a person's skin.  What is the solution for today?  Its not found in our good intentions or our show of selfish sacrifices which only exalts our own personal agenda's.  Our hope is to follow the way of Micah 6:8.   

When it says.... "He has shown you....." we can't help but to think about our Lord Jesus Christ.   He is our example.  He was the inspiration and the power behind Martin Luther King Jr and if we will have true peace in our world we need more people who will follow our Lord's example.

To ponder:  As we consider the problems of our day let us remember that first and foremost before we do anything we must become something.  We must become people who act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God.  If we all do that, then God will lead us in the direction of peace and love.

Prayer:  Dear God we humbly come before you.  We are aware of our own sins.  We are aware of our own selfish desires that have harmed others and caused division.   As it says in Psalm 139:23,24 we invite you today to "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.  See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

Real love for Valentine's Day. Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

     Ecclesiastes 3:8  a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

Yes it is Valentine's Day so happy Valentine's to all my friends and family! 

  It just happens to be that I'm blogging in the book of Ecclesiastes as I travel through the Bible.   You all know that in Ecclesiastes 3 it says that there is a time for everything under heaven.   

You would think that every time is a time for love, right?   I mean is there ever a time to not love?  And what is this time for hate  or a time for war all about?

Personally I think it is because of the world that we live in.   I sometimes pray, "Lord teach me to love those things that you love and to hate those things you hate."   I think it is a good prayer?

Yes there are somethings that God hates.  I think he especially hates when people harm children and lead them astray.   But some might say,  "But what about the saying that we are supposed to love the sinner and hate the sin."   that's pretty good too...  though it is very hard for us to do in practice.

I think about Jesus a lot.  Sometimes I think about his... less than loving words he spewed out to the Pharisees and other religious leaders.   Did he love the sinner?  I think he did.  I think that his harsh words were meant to get their attention! His anger was meant to stop them from their harmful actions.   Yes he was angry.... but yes... he loved them and wanted them to repent and receive Him as Lord and Savior.

 Jesus always knew what time it was and is!  

What time is it for you?  

Sometimes the most loving things  we can do is to deal directly with a problem in life.   Our motive is the key.  If we are addressing a situation with the  hope of eventual reconciliation,  first with Christ and then among ourselves,  we're probably on the right tract.

So out of Christ's Great love for you,  How do you think Jesus might address you today? How would he address your faults and failings?

 If you are interested and concerned that he might not be pleased... and if you are humble... Jesus knows that this is a time to extend to you love and grace.

So isn't it time that you fully embrace the one who loves you most.  You're His Valentine.  He offered his red heart of love to you on the cross.

Prayer:  Thank you God for showing us what love is all about.  Help me to love like you love even when I would rather turn away.    

Virtuous? what's that all about. Psalm 31:10-12, 30

Proverbs 31:10-12

New Living Translation (NLT)
 

^10 [a]Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
    She is more precious than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband can trust her,
    and she will greatly enrich his life.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
    but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.



Virtuous...  I wonder how often have you used that word today or perhaps this week or even the last month?   That's a word we don't use too often.   So I thought it might be good to look at that word for a moment.  First some synonyms for that word.   all right, decent, ethical, honest, honorable, just, moral, nice, right, righteous, right-minded, straight, true, upright, good. 

 Now a definition from  Wikipedia - Virtue is moral excellence. A virtue is a positive trait or quality deemed to be morally good and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being. Personal virtues are characteristics valued as promoting collective and individual greatness.

I like the idea of a foundation of principle and moral being.    A foundation is what you build upon.  For example if the foundation of a building is poor no matter how you try and how beautiful the building eventually the building will have problems.  conversely if your building upon a good foundation you can always rebuild and make corrections along the way.  Now I know that it's not a good thing to compare a woman or a wife to a building. ha ha  So if I've offended anyone I'm sorry.  Its just an analogy even if it isn't very romantic.   But if you think about it there are some beautiful and exciting homes that anyone would love to live in that have sound foundations.  My guess is that the home listing doesn't mention anything about the foundation. 

Yes, most women would love to be called beautiful, exciting, warm, sensitive, intelligent, funny, talented, and creative.   I'm not sure you will get a big smile and a hug by calling your wife virtuous tonight at the kitchen table.  But how blessed you are to have a virtuous wife.  All those other qualities and characteristic I just listed build upon that foundation and we love our wives because of those things as well.  But I hope that each man has a virtuous wife and that each woman is a virtuous person.  These are the women that God blesses and these are the women that bless their children.

I believe the Bible speak of three great virtues.  Faith, Hope and Love.   These should be the foundation of all of our relationships and of course the foundation of our relationship with God.  We should have faith in God in all things  Secondly we have hope which is the certainty of God's goodness and love which the Apostle Paul says is the greatest of all.

For a Christian, virtuous starts with our relationship with God;  Our trust in God and our complete surrender to walk in the ways of God.   We will not be perfect but if this is not the desire of our heart then ours is a flawed foundation and we must repent and ask God to change and transform our heart to the image of Christ.

Tonight. If you are a husband of a virtuous wife find a way to let her know how thankful you are!  and if you are a woman of virtue give thanks to God for he will greatly use you to be a blessing to others. 

And by the way.... blessed is the woman who has a virtuous man as well.

So what's the celebration all about? Isaiah 9:6,7

"For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
 Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this."

Isaiah 9:6-7

Its Christmas season and there are few texts that say Christmas better than our scripture for today.   I remember in High School and perhaps other times in life singing this text as a part of the Handle's Messiah.   It speaks of the peace that will happens when the Lord sits upon the throne of David.  It will happens as Christ brings justice, righteousness to this world.  The government will rest on his shoulders not on the shoulders of elected officials, frail sinful leaders and judges that lack wisdom and understanding.

We long for this day...   So why celebrate today?  Have you looked at the world lately?   Do we have a reason to be joyful? Do we have reasons to be hopeful?

I guess this is a good question that we generally try to avoid at this time of the year.  For some Christmas is just a month to put the blinders on.  At best it is a celebration of family and friends.  I heard on the news that the average family spends $700 at Christmas time.  That's a lot of cash!  So has Christmas become a huge boost to the economy?  Perhaps but come January is there any more peace and good will on earth? 

Maybe Christmas is just time for Children.  I guess you could say I'm being a pessimist.  Oh don't get me wrong I love Christmas and all the lights, special concerts, services and giving gifts.  So perhaps Christmas is just a rehearsal for the peace on earth that is yet to come?

Or perhaps Christmas is about something much more as the Grinch would learn.

Perhaps Christmas is like a seed that has yet to grow to full bloom.  Its a confirmation of the Peace that can be and will be.  It's about a hope that we have now because a Savior, the son of Peace has entered our world.  Perhaps Christmas is a Dream that started at Jesus Birth and will find it's completion when our text is fulfilled.  Perhaps Christmas is a celebration that we have already won!  Perhaps Christmas is a challenge and a hope that we will become the people of light that the world is so desperately waiting for!  

What is Christmas to you?   May your preparations focus upon the true spirit of hope, peace, joy and love this Advent season.

Our offering of praise! 1 Chronicles 29:11

So why do we give to God?  I think there are many good reasons but really the only one that matters. Simply stated, "God deserves our gifts."   God is worthy of all our honor and praise.

David in our verse for today clearly understood that.   In context, his prayer is his joyous response to the peoples gifts for the building of the temple and his joyous proclamation of God's glory. David proclaims,

 "Yours, O lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.  Yours, O Lord is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all."  1 Chronicles 29:11

Yes God is great! and we give as a way of praising him!  and this may be surprising but our generous, sacrificial and joyous offerings bring pleasure to the Lord in the same way that you find pleasure in a heart felt gift from your children.  Our gifts are the way we say,  "I love you." 

Does God really need our gifts?  Did God need such a lavish temple that was perhaps more elaborate and ornate than any other structure in existence?  Yes! God is worthy and God is able to provide for each person who brought forth their Silver and Gold.

Oh how sad it would have been if God's people didn't respond to David's plea to give to the building of the temple.  How sad it would have been if God's first permanent temple went unfinished because God's people didn't love him enough to fund it. 


To ponder:   What does my giving to my local church or to other mission causes say about my love for God?

Remember the amount of our gift is not as important as the heart of our gift.   A sacrificial heart gift from one person to the next will probably be drastically different but whatever your gift is.... offer it as an expression of praise to the Lord.

 

There is a Redeemer

There is so much that could be said about the book of Ruth.  I just finished preaching a four part sermon on the book a couple months ago so I'll try my best not to sermonize too much..  Maybe a little. 

Today I want to talk about Boaz the kinsman redeemer.  When Ruth and Naomi were in Bethlehem, while Naomi was determined to be bitter and resolved to die, Ruth was determined to live.   Ruth went out to glean in one of the locals field and by chance or by God's provision she came to a field owned by Boaz a close relative.  She followed behind the servants who gathered the barley and gleaned what was left behind.  When Boaz noticed her he did more than have pity on her... he was truly interested in her and determined to protect her.   Now we can't say that it was love at first sight.  I'll let the romantics who happen upon my blog to satisfy their imaginations if they wish.  Boaz out of his kindness even requested that his workers leave an extra measure of Barley behind and even to allow her to glean among the workers without sending her away.

When Ruth told Naomi of her good fortune Naomi was filled with hope again.  Eventually Naomi cooked up a plot where Ruth would make advances on the threshing floor by going to Boaz at night.   Boaz would know what to do.  He was an honorable man and would take Ruth as his wife if he was able.   Being that he was a close kin to Naomi he could take Ruth and redeem the land that was owned by Elimelech, Naomi's deceased husband.   To survive Naomi had planned to sell the property but a kinsman redeemer could buy the property and then give it back if you will to the owner in this case Naomi.  

 Boaz though deeply flattered and in love with Ruth had a problem.  Boaz knew that there was a closer kin who had the first right of redemption.  This fact and the fact that Ruth was much younger than he was the primary reason Boaz refrained from making the first advances himself.  However now that Ruth had approached him, he would settle the matter quickly.  At first the closest of kin took the right of redemption but refused once he realized that taking Ruth as his wife was a part of the deal as well.   Perhaps his present wife didn't like the idea?  but it probably also posed other financial burdens.... but you can read about that yourself.


Now the way was open for Boaz to redeem the land and to take Ruth as his wife.   A baby was soon on  the way and Naomi and Ruth would be safe and blessed for the rest of their lives.  It was a wonderful love story indeed and through that union Ruth's Name would join the most royal lineage. Her child would become the grandfather to King David and Ruth would eventually be included in the lineage of the most royal redeemer of all, Jesus Christ.

Boaz was what some might call a "type" of Christ.   We remember that Christ himself would redeem his people.  He would buy back our salvation through the gift of his blood which would pay the price and the punishment for our sins. 

Thanks be to God that we have a redeemer, Jesus Christ, who sees us in our times of despair.   He knows how helpless we are and though we like Ruth can only beg, Jesus offers us eternal life as a son or daughter of the king of kings!   No we are not received as servants or slaves.  We come as the bride of Christ bought by the blood of the lamb.  We are redeemed and all we have to do is approach Christ and humbly place ourselves in faith at the feet of Jesus.  

To ponder:   How blessed we are that Christ provides for us and protects us now and in the future.  We are his and there is nothing that can separate us from his love... Nothing.  Let us rejoice and walk as proud and thankful people.... brothers and sisters in Christ!

If you've not placed yourself at the feet of Christ to allow him to redeem your life I would invite you to pray with me and if you have join me as we rededicate our lives to Jesus.

Dear God I thank you for Christ who stands ready to receive me.  I thank you that he sees me in all of my sin yet for the sake of love calls me in and offers me forgiveness.  Lord right now I receive Jesus offer for my life.  I hand my life into his hands as my savior, redeemer and friend.   Forgive me of my sins.  Fill me with your Spirit and help me to walk with Jesus as my guild.  Thank you for accepting me as your child.   In Jesus name I pray,  Amen

If you prayed that prayer for the first time I encourage you strongly to find a church and talk with the pastor so he or she can celebrate with you and help you on the journey.  I would also be greatly honored if you would send me an email message at timothybrownpastor@yahoo.com

God's blessings to us all as we walk through the word together.